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Washington – The Federal Aviation Administration’s current commercial pilot training requirements focus too much on the mechanics of flying and do not adequately train pilots in making effective decisions or assessing risk, according to a Government Accountability Office report(.pdf file) released March 20.

GAO interviewed key airline industry stakeholders, who reported that new pilots come in with a “wide range of initial training experiences” that did not impart the behavioral competencies most valued by the industry. According to the report, new pilots should have additional training in the following areas:

Situational awareness, risk assessment and decision-making

New virtual simulation technologies

Up-to-date competencies in new automation systems, avionics, information displays and other technologies

GAO recommended FAA institute new and stricter guidelines regulating pilot schools and trainers to reduce the variability of pilot training.

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The National Safety Council is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to save lives by preventing injuries and deaths at work, in homes and communities and on the road through leadership, research, education and advocacy.